END OF THIRD QUARTER: Free State trails Washburn Rural, 44-43: Wiebe leads all scores with 17 for Free State. The Firebirds are in a bit of foul trouble with Marcus Spates, Nick Devin and Kyle Schreiner all having three personals.

1:50 THIRD QUARTER: Free State trails Washburn Rural, 43-38: Washburn Rural took its first lead of the second half with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter. Tanner Speake hit two free throws. On the next possession, Junior Blues guard Greg Schmidt hit a three-pointer to put Washburn Rural up five.

HALFTIME: Free State leads Washburn Rural, 32-26: Junior guard Anthony Russell hit a three-pointer as time expired in the first half. As Washburn Rural missed a free throw, senior center Christian Ballard grabbed the rebound. Russell ran down the left side of the floor. Upon receiving the pass, Russell drained the three with a hand in his face.

Junior forward Weston Wiebe leads Free State with 13 first-half points. Wiebe has used his footwork around the basket to create several layups. Wiebe is also 3-of-3 from the foul line.

Senior guard Nick Devin has looked as scrappy as he has all season on defense - and Devin is a scrapper to begin with. Devin had three steals in the first half and has been a constant annoyance for Washburn Rural guards. On one occasion, Devin picked the pocket of a Washburn Rural guard in the backcourt, then immediately dished to Weston Wiebe for an uncontested layup. Devin also has six points at intermission.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Free State trails Washburn Rural, 17-15: Senior guard Nick Devin leads Free State with five points after the first quarter. Washburn Rural's Justin Wener has a game-high eight points after the first quarter.

Both teams are in a man-to-man halfcourt defense for the most part. The Firebirds have occasionally put on a full-court press with the intention of forcing quick turnovers. The Junior Blues have five turnovers, compared to Free State's three.

Free State (12-12) will take on Washburn Rural (15-9) for the third-place game in Emporia.